The road is progressing from Dar Es Salaam with only 25km of road still under construction. This one stretch takes about one and a half hours and the remaining 300km takes between 3 and 4 hours. It is estimated that the road will be fully tarred by the end of 2012 check [http://www.kilwa-guide.com/#!driving/cptq] for monthly road updates.

−

Buses run daily from both the north and south. From the north (Dar) big buses leave around 6am from Ubungo and stop at Temeke and Mbagala bus stations. The companies running change regularly, the buses with four seats in a row are significantly more comfortable than the ones with five seats in a row. Part of the road is unpaved so it is advisable to get a seat nearer the front. It's about 4 or 5 hours from Dar. It's best to book at least a day in advance. These buses will drop you off at Nangurukuru which is about 30km from Kilwa Masoko (where most people stay). From Nangurukuru you can get a minibus, shared taxi or private taxi to either Kilwa Masoko or Kilwa Kivinje.

+

Buses run daily from both the north and south. From the north (Dar) big buses leave around 6am from Mbagala bus station. The companies running change regularly check with your lodge on the latest most reliable, the buses with four seats in a row are significantly more comfortable than the ones with five seats in a row & if heading south get a seat on the right hand side to avoid the sun and vice versa if from the north. It's best to book at least a day in advance. These buses will drop you off at Kilwa Masoko, however buses later on in the day to Lindi and other southern towns can drop you at Nangurukuru which is about 30km from Kilwa. From Nangurukuru you can get a minibus, shared taxi or private taxi to either Kilwa Masoko or Kilwa Kivinje.

−

From Dar there are also minibuses throughout the morning leaving from Mbagala to Kilwa Masoko although these will be more cramped and less comfortable than the larger buses.

+

From the south (Mtwara, Mikindani and Lindi) buses depart both towns at 6am and it takes about 4 or 5 hours, the road is paved all the way. These buses will also drop you off at Nangurukuru (see above).

+

+

==Get around==

+

Most hotels will arrange pick-up from the airport.

−

From the south (Mtwara, Mikindani and Lindi) buses depart both towns at 6am and it takes about 4 or 5 hours, the road is paved all the way. These buses will also drop you off at Nangurukuru (see above).

+

To get from Kilwa Masoko to Kilwa Kisiwani you will need to take a boat. Up market hotels will organise this for you (and charge you) alternatively you can organise this yourself as there are boats waiting at the dock that you can charter. Expect to pay around 10'000/- to 15'000/- for a sailing boat to drop you off, wait and then return you to Kilwa Masoko - more for a boat with an engine. If you don't speak Swahili you can hire a guide (who you will probably want to show you around the ruins) who should also take care of this, but bear in mind that the guide may not always try to get you the best price.

−

From Lindi (but not Mtwara) there are also minibuses in the morning. As around at the bus stand to find out what time they leave.

+

To get between Kilwa Masoko and Kilwa Kivinji there are shared taxis regularly, although if you turn up they will probably insist that you have to hire a private taxi or you will have to wait hours and hours. If you politely decline and offer to wait they usually leave every half an hour or so.

−

==Get around==

+

All three towns are small enough that the best way to get around them is by food (although see the safety section). There are a number of taxis and tuktuks (bajaji) around town if the heat is too much for you.

−

Most hotels will arrange pick-up from the airport.

==See==

==See==

−

The fantastic ruins on Kilwa Kisiwani (which means "Kilwa of the Island"), a UNESCO world heritage site [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/144]. Most hotels will provide you with a boat to the island and a guide. Guides with detailed knowledge of the history and archaeology are sometimes hard to find (but they ARE around), but there are extremely informative signs to help you out if your guide only knows the location of each of the ruins and not the story behind them. There is also a useful book available with the history of the island and a detailed description of the ruins, which makes a good guide and a nice keepsake. See the Wikipedia page for more information.

+

The fantastic ruins on Kilwa Kisiwani (which means "Kilwa of the Island"), a UNESCO world heritage site [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/144]. Most hotels will provide you with a boat to the island and a guide. Guides with detailed knowledge of the history and archaeology are sometimes hard to find (but they ARE around)ask at the tourist inforation in town, but there are extremely informative signs to help you out if your guide only knows the location of each of the ruins and not the story behind them. There is also a useful book available with the history of the island and a detailed description of the ruins, which makes a good guide and a nice keepsake. See the Wikipedia page for more information.

+

+

The town of Kilwa Kivinji is less popular than the other two Kilwas but it is a charming, sleepy Swahili town, much of it built in the traditional style out of traditional coral-rag. It doesn't have the 'sights' of Kilwa Kisiwani but it is a pleasant town in it's own right and well worth a day trip from Kilwa Masoko.

==Do==

==Do==

−

The newest hotels have dive centers.

−

Several hotels cater to sport fishermen- and often serve up the day's catch at dinner!!

+

Kilwa Guide's Top 10 in Kilwa

+

+

Top 10 Things To Do In Kilwa

+

+

Explore the Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani a UNESCO World Heritage Site

+

+

+

Visit some of Tanzania's most beautiful beaches especially the coconut lined masoko pwani

+

+

Snorkel or dive on untouched virgincoral reefs and have a chance to see some of the rarer rays, whale sharks & dolphins

+

+

Explore the inland waterways and mangrove forests for hippos, crocs and the elusive dugong!

+

+

Feast on the Indian Ocean's greatest seafood - lobster, prawns, octopus,crab & calamari all caught fresh that day

+

+

Catch your own meal - either sport fishing or with a local fisherman teaching you authentic methods

+

+

Go further afield and visit the Selous Game Reserve - Tanzania's largest protected area

−

Kilwa is a safe, sleepy little town with dirt streets, making it very nice for a morning or late afternoon stroll around to see the market and port, and get the feel of this wonderful Swahili town.

+

Visit Kilwa Kivinje - once the German administrative capital for the region and now a peaceful fishing village

Visit the KIYODEA Research Centre,a local NGO running volunteer experiences & scientific research at their base on Masoko pwani

==Buy==

==Buy==

Line 36:

Line 70:

==Sleep==

==Sleep==

+

Almost all visitors choose to stay in Kilwa Masoko (there is no accommodation on Kilwa Kisiwani, there are a couple of budget options in Kilwa Kivinji) all the options below are in Kilwa Masoko.

+

'''Budget''' (prices in TSH)

'''Budget''' (prices in TSH)

+

*<sleep name="Mikumi guesthouse" alt="" address="" directions="where the bus from Nangurukuru drops off" phone="" url="" checkin="" checkout="" price="3000/- (about $2)" lat="" long="">About the cheapest place in town, rooms are spacious but a little grubby (though not unclean). It has electricity (some of the time) and technically it has running water, although since there is only one tap for the entire guest house i'm not sure if this counts. Facilities are shared, and showers involve using a bucket.</sleep>

+

*<sleep name="New Jika Guest House" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" url="" checkin="" checkout="" price="around 8'000 per person (about $5)" lat="" long="">This is the main local (read cheap) place in town. It's in the center of town and recommended for people not wanting to pay tourist prices. Rooms are clean and some have AC. Best to avoid the restaurant, there are many better places around town.</sleep>

Mostly caters to sport fishermen from Europe and South Africa. Rooms are very simple, food very basic, bar is well stocked. Not the most inviting family spot.

Mostly caters to sport fishermen from Europe and South Africa. Rooms are very simple, food very basic, bar is well stocked. Not the most inviting family spot.

Prices are per person, per day, $80 for a "fishing banda" and $100 for "beachfront banda"

Prices are per person, per day, $80 for a "fishing banda" and $100 for "beachfront banda"

−

*<sleep name="Mikumi guesthouse" alt="" address="" directions="where the bus from Nangurukuru drops off" phone="" url="" checkin="" checkout="" price="3000" lat="" long="">About the cheapest place in town, rooms are spacious but a little grubby (though not unclean). It has electricity (some of the time) and technically it has running water, although since there is only one tap for the entire guest house i'm not sure if this counts. Facilities are shared, and showers involve using a bucket.</sleep>

+

*<sleep name="Kilwa Beach Lodge" alt="Kilwa Safari" address="Masoko Pwani" directions="ask in town" phone="0774 42 31 75" url="http://www.upepo-pwani.com" checkin="" checkout="" price="50$" lat="" long="">This old overland camp named Upepo Pwani is opening early 2013 as a new mid-range banda accommodation on the beautiful Masoko Pwani. Family run and family friendly; a home away from home.</sleep>

−

*<sleep name="New Jika Guest House" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" url="" checkin="" checkout="" price="around 8'000" lat="" long="">This is the main local (read cheap) place in town. Rooms are clean and some have AC.</sleep>

+

*<sleep name="Lake Maliwe Community Campsite" alt="NON PROFIT MAKING" address="Selous Buffer Zone, Kilwa District" directions="turn right at nangurukuru on the way to Liwale, ask at Njinjo village" phone="" url="http://www.kiyodea.org/" checkin="" checkout="" price="25" lat="" long="">This community run campsite is on the shores of Lake Maliwe,a freshwater lake within the Selous buffer zone teeming with life including hippos, crocs and elephants. All income helps the local village</sleep>

Line 57:

Line 92:

==Contact==

==Contact==

+

+

For up to the date information on Kilwa Masoko and the UNESCO WOrld heritage site of Kilwa Kisiwani - check out Kilwa-guide.com [www.kilwa-guide.com] a free travel resource for Kilwa.

==Get out==

==Get out==

+

There are daily minibuses leaving Kilwa Masoko for Lindi and Dar leaving early in the morning - buy your ticket in advance and (especially if going to Dar) try and sit as close to the front as possible.

+

It is possible to get a daladala / shared taxi / private taxi to Nangurukuru and try to pick up one of the larger buses going either north or south that pass by between 10am and 2pm but be warned that these buses are often full and you may find that you cannot get on one.

[[wikipedia:Kilwa_Kisiwani]]

[[wikipedia:Kilwa_Kisiwani]]

Revision as of 13:51, 26 November 2012

Kilwa Masoko sprang up as the market town associated with the thriving Arab city-state of Kilwa Kisiwani on the large island surrounded by the Kilwa Bay. Over time the city-state collapsed and the brunt of the population moved off the island to Kilwa Masoko. Kilwa Kivinji is an pleasant Swahili town smaller and politically less important than Kilwa Masoko about 20km away. Today Kilwa Masoko is the capital of the Kilwa district in the Lindi region. Most visitors stay in Kilwa Masoko and use it as a base for visiting the other two Kilwas

The road is progressing from Dar Es Salaam with only 25km of road still under construction. This one stretch takes about one and a half hours and the remaining 300km takes between 3 and 4 hours. It is estimated that the road will be fully tarred by the end of 2012 check [5] for monthly road updates.

Buses run daily from both the north and south. From the north (Dar) big buses leave around 6am from Mbagala bus station. The companies running change regularly check with your lodge on the latest most reliable, the buses with four seats in a row are significantly more comfortable than the ones with five seats in a row & if heading south get a seat on the right hand side to avoid the sun and vice versa if from the north. It's best to book at least a day in advance. These buses will drop you off at Kilwa Masoko, however buses later on in the day to Lindi and other southern towns can drop you at Nangurukuru which is about 30km from Kilwa. From Nangurukuru you can get a minibus, shared taxi or private taxi to either Kilwa Masoko or Kilwa Kivinje.

From the south (Mtwara, Mikindani and Lindi) buses depart both towns at 6am and it takes about 4 or 5 hours, the road is paved all the way. These buses will also drop you off at Nangurukuru (see above).

Get around

Most hotels will arrange pick-up from the airport.

To get from Kilwa Masoko to Kilwa Kisiwani you will need to take a boat. Up market hotels will organise this for you (and charge you) alternatively you can organise this yourself as there are boats waiting at the dock that you can charter. Expect to pay around 10'000/- to 15'000/- for a sailing boat to drop you off, wait and then return you to Kilwa Masoko - more for a boat with an engine. If you don't speak Swahili you can hire a guide (who you will probably want to show you around the ruins) who should also take care of this, but bear in mind that the guide may not always try to get you the best price.

To get between Kilwa Masoko and Kilwa Kivinji there are shared taxis regularly, although if you turn up they will probably insist that you have to hire a private taxi or you will have to wait hours and hours. If you politely decline and offer to wait they usually leave every half an hour or so.

All three towns are small enough that the best way to get around them is by food (although see the safety section). There are a number of taxis and tuktuks (bajaji) around town if the heat is too much for you.

See

The fantastic ruins on Kilwa Kisiwani (which means "Kilwa of the Island"), a UNESCO world heritage site [6]. Most hotels will provide you with a boat to the island and a guide. Guides with detailed knowledge of the history and archaeology are sometimes hard to find (but they ARE around)ask at the tourist inforation in town, but there are extremely informative signs to help you out if your guide only knows the location of each of the ruins and not the story behind them. There is also a useful book available with the history of the island and a detailed description of the ruins, which makes a good guide and a nice keepsake. See the Wikipedia page for more information.

The town of Kilwa Kivinji is less popular than the other two Kilwas but it is a charming, sleepy Swahili town, much of it built in the traditional style out of traditional coral-rag. It doesn't have the 'sights' of Kilwa Kisiwani but it is a pleasant town in it's own right and well worth a day trip from Kilwa Masoko.

Do

Kilwa Guide's Top 10 in Kilwa

Top 10 Things To Do In Kilwa

Explore the Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Visit some of Tanzania's most beautiful beaches especially the coconut lined masoko pwani

Snorkel or dive on untouched virgincoral reefs and have a chance to see some of the rarer rays, whale sharks & dolphins

Explore the inland waterways and mangrove forests for hippos, crocs and the elusive dugong!

Feast on the Indian Ocean's greatest seafood - lobster, prawns, octopus,crab & calamari all caught fresh that day

Catch your own meal - either sport fishing or with a local fisherman teaching you authentic methods

Go further afield and visit the Selous Game Reserve - Tanzania's largest protected area

Visit Kilwa Kivinje - once the German administrative capital for the region and now a peaceful fishing village

Visit the KIYODEA Research Centre,a local NGO running volunteer experiences & scientific research at their base on Masoko pwani

Buy

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Almost all visitors choose to stay in Kilwa Masoko (there is no accommodation on Kilwa Kisiwani, there are a couple of budget options in Kilwa Kivinji) all the options below are in Kilwa Masoko.

Budget (prices in TSH)

Mikumi guesthouse, (where the bus from Nangurukuru drops off). About the cheapest place in town, rooms are spacious but a little grubby (though not unclean). It has electricity (some of the time) and technically it has running water, although since there is only one tap for the entire guest house i'm not sure if this counts. Facilities are shared, and showers involve using a bucket.3000/- (about $2).

New Jika Guest House. This is the main local (read cheap) place in town. It's in the center of town and recommended for people not wanting to pay tourist prices. Rooms are clean and some have AC. Best to avoid the restaurant, there are many better places around town.around 8'000 per person (about $5).

Mostly caters to sport fishermen from Europe and South Africa. Rooms are very simple, food very basic, bar is well stocked. Not the most inviting family spot.
Prices are per person, per day, $80 for a "fishing banda" and $100 for "beachfront banda"

Kilwa Beach Lodge (Kilwa Safari), Masoko Pwani (ask in town), ☎0774 42 31 75, [3]. This old overland camp named Upepo Pwani is opening early 2013 as a new mid-range banda accommodation on the beautiful Masoko Pwani. Family run and family friendly; a home away from home.50$.

Lake Maliwe Community Campsite (NON PROFIT MAKING), Selous Buffer Zone, Kilwa District (turn right at nangurukuru on the way to Liwale, ask at Njinjo village), [4]. This community run campsite is on the shores of Lake Maliwe,a freshwater lake within the Selous buffer zone teeming with life including hippos, crocs and elephants. All income helps the local village25.

Safety

During the day walking around town should be safe but after dark significant caution should be advised. There have been a number of tourists mugged in recent years, always travel in groups or take a taxi / tuktuk (bajaji)

Contact

For up to the date information on Kilwa Masoko and the UNESCO WOrld heritage site of Kilwa Kisiwani - check out Kilwa-guide.com [www.kilwa-guide.com] a free travel resource for Kilwa.

Get out

There are daily minibuses leaving Kilwa Masoko for Lindi and Dar leaving early in the morning - buy your ticket in advance and (especially if going to Dar) try and sit as close to the front as possible.

It is possible to get a daladala / shared taxi / private taxi to Nangurukuru and try to pick up one of the larger buses going either north or south that pass by between 10am and 2pm but be warned that these buses are often full and you may find that you cannot get on one.